I and My Father Are One, Part 3

“I and My Father Are One”

Part 3, Who Is Our Redeemer?

Chapter 29, Part 3 Preview: (Part 1) A controversy has raged for nearly two thousand years: “How can Yeshua (Jesus*) be God”? Many theories have been proposed over the centuries concerning the “nature” of Yeshua. These ideas are at extreme variance with the Bible concerning His identity and they are quite dangerous. Bible prophecy says that heresy [literally: sectarianism] would be an unbridled problem. It is not just the cults that are a problem tho they do provide very convenient “whipping boys” for more traditional deceivers. This four part sequel to The Origin of Heresy explains the “Nature of God” directly from the Bible in a way that harmonizes the passages that have baffled heretics for nearly two millennia.

Here we see that Yehovah is our Redeemer. Because the word “redeemer” is not to be found in “the Testimony of Yeshua the Messiah” (the “New Testament”), but it is frequently found in the Hebrew Scriptures, some might assume that “Redeemer” refers to God the Father, but look at these job descriptions of the Redeemer:

Galatians 4:4-5But when the right time came, Yehovah sent out His Son; who was made by a woman, and made under the Torah; 5 so that He could redeem those who were under the death penalty of the Torah; so that we could receive sonship! —The Testimony of Yeshua, Gabriel Version (GV)

Titus 2:13-14 ... anticipating our blessed hope, and the epiphany [Gr. epiphaneia: return] of the splendor of the great Aloha, and our Life Giver, Yeshua the Messiah; 14 who gave Himself for us, so that he could ransom us from our lawless condition, and cleanse a new people for Himself, zealous for doing good works. GV

Here is the Redeemer who “makes all things”—the Creator God.

This brings to mind the plurality of the literal Hebrew of the following verse:

Isaiah 54:5 Your Makers are your HUSBANDS [yes, both are plural searchword: makers]; Yehovah of Armies is His name; and the Sacred One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the Elohim of the entire earth. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)

Isaiah 44:24 Thus says [Yehovah], your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: “I am [Yehovah], who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by Myself.... WEB

So we can see that this Redeemer is the One by whom “All things were made”—[Yeshua].

John 1:1 In the beginning, was the Word; and the Word was with Yehovah; and the Word was Yehovah. 2 He was in the beginning with Yehovah. GV

1 John 1:1-2 We announce to you what was from the beginning, that we heard and saw with our own eyes, looked at, having even touched with our hands—the Word of Life. 2 The Life was made visible, and we have seen and are witnesses announcing to you the eternal Life that was with the Father, and then revealed to us. GV

Yeshua, was in the wilderness with the sons of Israel! However, the “Most High God”, in this reference, is both the Father and a Redeemer.

Psalms 78:35 They remembered that Elohim was their Rock, the Highest Elohim, their Redeemer. WE

First, notice that the Rock was Messiah:

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Friends, I want you to know that all of our ancestors were under the cloud, and they all passed thru the sea; 2 and they were all immersed by Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and they all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and they all drank the same spiritual drink; because they drank from the spiritual Rock that attended them, and that Rock was the Messiah. GV

How did Paul know that the pre incarnate Messiah was in the wilderness with Israel?

Exodus 23:20-23 Behold, I send [a Messenger] before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Pay attention to Him, and listen to His voice. Dont provoke Him, for He will not pardon your disobedience, for My name is in Him. [Perhaps this means: WE share the same name.] 22 But if you indeed listen to His voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 For My [Messenger] shall go before you, and bring you in to the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I will cut them off. WEB

Now look at Psalms 78:35 again. The “Most High God” is “their Redeemer”. So is there a way to distinguish precisely which God Being is the Most High God, so as to prove that the Father is indeed a redeemer as well? Absolutely! Check out the next three verses:

Mark 5:7-8 He called out loudly, “What have I to do with you, Yeshua, Son of the Highest Yehovah? I adjure You by Yehovah not to torment me. 8 He had told them, “Unclean spirits, come out of the man”. GV

Luke 8:28 When he saw Yeshua, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What have we to do with You? Yeshua, Son of the exalted Yehovah. We beg You not to torture us”. GV

Hebrews 6:20-7:3 ... where Yeshua has entered as the Forerunner for us, and has become the High Priest forever, succeeding Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:1 This man Melchizedek, King of Salem and Priest of the Most High Yehovah, met Abraham, as he was returning from defeating the kings; and blessed him. 2 Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything that he had with him. First of all, His name is interpreted King of Righteousness; and secondly, He is called King of Salem, that is, King of Peace. 3 He has no father or mother written in any genealogy; no birth date, and no record of dying; but, like Yehovahs Son, His priesthood remains forever. GV

“Most High Yehovah”, in the Greek, means precisely the same thing as it does in the Hebrew. “Most High” indicates that the Father has the ultimate authority, similar to the way a marriage, or even a business or government should work. Someone needs to have the final say. The Son is not quite so “High”.

Here is another verse that says that the Father is a “Redeemer”.

Isaiah 63:16 You are our Father, tho Abraham doesnt know us, and Israel dosnt acknowledge us; You, Yehovah, are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is Your name. WE

The other “US” that comes to mind is:

Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. WEB

So the Father can be our “redeemer” and [Yeshua] can be the “Everlasting Father”!

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born. To us a Son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting FATHER, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of [Yehovah] of Armies will perform this. WEB

Who is the “Mighty One”?

The mighty one divorced Israel:

Isaiah 49:26...50:1 I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, [Yehovah], am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the MIGHTY ONE of Jacob. [Which One?] Isaiah 50:1 Thus says [Yehovah], “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away. WEB

Isaiah 19:20 It will be for a sign and for a witness to [Yehovah] of Armies in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to [Yehovah] because of oppressors, and He WILL SEND them a Savior [The Son] and a defender, and He will deliver them. WEB

“The Mighty One of Jacob” is the Savior who was sent!

How many Saviors are there, and who might they be?

How is Yehovahs above mentioned divorce going to be resolved? Notice that the answer is only three verses further down. Here is a rather obscure text that describes the sacrificial nature of our Redeemer to the letter. “Hidden” in the text of Isaiah are clues about the sacrifice of Yeshua. Yeshua died for his future wife—Israel!

Isaiah 50:4-11 4 Adonay Yehovah has given me gifted speech, so that I understand how to sustain the weary with words; He arouses my consciousness morning by morning, He awakens me with inspired revelation as the gifted. 5 Adonay Yehovah has opened my ear, and I wasnt rebellious; I havent turned back. 6 I yielded my back to those who scourged me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out my hair; I didnt hide my face from dishonor and spitting. 7 Adonay Yehovah will help me; so I wont remain dishonoured; so I set my face like a flint, and I know that I wont be disappointed. 8 The One who justifies me is near; who will bring charges against me? Let’s stand up together; who is my adversary? He should approach me. 9 Look, Adonay Yehovah will help me; who will condemn me? Look, all they will wear out like clothing, moths will eat them. 10 Who is among you who fears Yehovah, who obeys the voice of his Servant? The one who walks in darkness, and has no light, should trust in the name of Yehovah, and rely on his Elohim. 11 Look, all of you who kindle a fire and grasp torches; walk in the firelight, and among the torches so that you have lit. This is what you will get from me; you will lie down in sorrow. WE

To make a long story short—Yeshua is One God with His Father. If Yeshua is a bridegroom, then so is His Father! They are both: Saviors, Fathers and Redeemers.

John 10:30 I and My Father are one. GV

John 14:8-11 Philip said, “Master, show us the Father, and it will be sufficient for us”. 9 Yeshua replied, “Have I been with you all this time, and you still dont known Me, Philip? Anyone who sees Me, sees the Father, so why would you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Dont you believe that I am in My Father, and that My Father in Me? The truths that I tell you, I dont say on my own authority, but My Father, who lives in Me does these works! 11 Believe that I am in My Father, and My Father is in Me. But if not, at least believe because of the works. GV

Another glaring omission from venerated “heavenly marriage ceremony” discussions, is the fact that there are to be guests, “both bad and good”, present!

Matthew 22:8-10 Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is prepared, but those who were invited were unworthy. 9 So go to the entrances into the city; and invite to the feast everyone you find’. 10 The servants went out to the crossroads, and gathered everyone they found, both bad and good; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. GV

This alludes to an earthly wedding—a wedding where there are wicked people present who will be cast from the wedding into “outer darkness”! At this wedding “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. (Matthew 22:13) So the Marriage Supper is the same as the separation of the sheep from the goats—Judgment Day!

The wedding supper does not sound very appetizing either, unless you understand that at this time, the nations of Israel have just been freed from their captors. The captors are destroyed and God’s relationship with His chosen people will now commence. It’s the knight slaying the dragon and marrying the princess scenario again, leaving the dragon’s body (in this case, the Beast’s body!) for the buzzards.

Might it be better to meet the Master as He returns FROM the Wedding Supper, than to be at the Wedding?

Luke 12:36-37 Be like people who expect their master to arrive, so that when he returns from the wedding festivity, and he comes and knocks, they will welcome him immediately. 37 The master’s servants will be elated when he comes, and he finds them still diligently watching for him. Assuredly, he will dress up, but have them relax, and will come to each of them and serve them! GV

Revelation 19:7, 17-18 Let’s rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and praise Him; because the Marriage Supper of the Lamb has come, and His fiancee has made herself ready .... 17 I saw a spirit Messenger standing engulfed within the rays of the sun; and he cried with a loud voice to all the birds that fly overhead in heaven, “Come, assemble at this great supper of Yehovah. 18 Eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains of thousands, the flesh of valiant men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, the flesh of everyone free-born and slaves, both small and great”. GV

I surmise that the reason for the emphasis on the Lamb being married in “the Testimony of Yeshua” (the so called “New Testament”), is to illustrate that the well documented marriage covenant with the God of the Hebrew Scriptures was actually referring to the prior marriage that the One who became the Messiah had with Israel.

While Israel numbered perhaps three million people at the time that the Ten Commandments were given, only “thousands” of them were to be blessed—as illustrated from the very text of the Ten Commandments!

Exodus 20:6 ... and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep My Commandments. WEB

Whose Commandments are “My Commandments” anyway?

John 14:15 If you love Me, obey My Commandments. GV (Also John 14:21 and 15:10)

So it will be with the next Marriage of Israel. While the bride will be composed of multiple millions, only a small fraction of humanity has faithfully kept the Ten simple Commandments of God.

Revelation 3:5 Anyone who is victorious I will allow to sit with Me on My throne [1], even as I was victorious, and sat down with My Father on His throne.

[1] For most of history, kings literally ruled from their thrones, yet from this passage, the “SEAT of authority” for the Kingdom of Yehovah was predicted to be administered by a multiplicity of kings, literally ruling in complete harmony from a “dreadfully high”“dreadfully high” (Ezekiel 1:18) “throne” (v.26).

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patient endurance of the Saints, who preserve the Commandments of Yehovah, and are fully convinced about Yeshua. GV

So if we are not to be part of the Bride; might we be a part of the Bridegroom? Could we share that responsibility with Yeshua?

Revelation 3:21 I have been standing at the door! I am knocking; so if anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to them, and will dine with them, and they with Me. GV

The “Second Coming”?

With so many accounts of “Yeshua” coming to earth before He was born as a flesh and blood human it makes the idea of His “Second Coming” a bit silly. Perhaps the phrase “Second Coming” should be ammended to include “Second visible Coming”—to be seen by ‘the world’.

John 14:18-19 I wont leave you orphans; because it will come to you after a little while. 19 THE WORLD wont see Me; BUT YOU’LL SEE ME, and because I live, you’ll also live. GV

Yeshua has been here repeatedly since His crucifixion. He was here on numerous times shortly after His death as seen by many witnesses. Those incidences are well known but apparently they dont count as “comings”.

It appears that Yeshua spent three years personally teaching Paul in Arabia:

Galatians 1:12, 16-18 I didnt accept it or learn it from others, but I got it by a revelation from Yeshua the Messiah. ... 16 to reveal His Son by me, so that I could proclaim Him among the nations, I didnt immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go to Jerusalem to those who were envoys before me; but I went into Arabia, before returning to Damascus. 18 After three years I went to Jerusalem to see Cephas; and I remained with him fifteen days. GV

About thirty years later Yeshua literally stood next to Paul:

Acts 23:10-11 When the situation was becoming violent, the high commander was afraid that they might tear Paul to pieces, so he sent Romans, to take him away from them by force, and bring him into the encampment. 11 That night our Master appeared to Paul, and told him, “Be strong; because as you have been witnessing for Me in Jerusalem, and you must be My witness in Rome”. GV

Dont suppose that John was given the book of Revelation telepathically!

Revelation 1:17-19 ... When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as tho dead. He laid His right hand on me, and said, “Dont fear, I am the First and the Last; 18 who lives and was dead. I am alive forevermore! Aw-mane’. I have the keys of death and Sheol. 19 So record what you have already seen, and the things that presently are, and the things that are to be in the future. GV

Today Yeshua literally walks among His Seven “Churches” (Revelation 2-3) that are also word pictured as Seven Lampstands!

Revelation 2:1 To the Messenger of the Assembly in Ephesus write, “These are the things that He who holds everything, including the seven stars in His right hand, says, the One who walks among the seven menorahs of gold. GV

I doubt that you will have recognized Yeshua in your local Assemblies or at a Feast. He was the lone guy with the “strange ideas” who may have been told to leave. Laodiceans actually leave Him outside knocking at the door! Some day He will tell us about His visits among us. As you read about these Assemblies it is quite apparent that He is very upset with most of them. But God is not an invisible man. While He can appear into our realm and disappear from it in an instant, He does not sneak around invisibly. He is not omnipresent—a pagan concept. He occupies one place at a time, tho He can inhabit that given place at any time of eternity!

Isaiah 57:15-16 For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16 For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls who I have made.

In a sense God is always with the “contrite and humble” because they are the “souls” that God will “revive” for keeps in the resurrection.

Does Yeshua Still Need to Mediate?

1 Timothy 2:5 Yehovah is one; and there is one Mediator between Yehovah and humanity—Yeshua the Messiah, a Man Himself, GV

In 1 Timothy 2:5 The term “man” (anthropos) is clearly a reference to the role of Mediator that [Yeshua] played while in the flesh. [Yeshua] is the firstborn of many brethren so many other brethren will be born into the same realm as He is—and they will no longer be men!

Is Yeshua presently a Mediator? Is He telling our Father to take it easy on us mere humans, because, after all, He knows what it is like being human? Three of the six references to “Mediator” are in the context of the time when the future “New Covenant” with Judah and Israel will be fulfilled (listed below). Hebrews 9:15 says that the mediation was performed “by means of death”. So the Mediator role was performed by the flesh and blood Yeshua, not the resurrected One. When the New Covenant is actually fulfilled by “the Lord and His Messiah”, no further mediation will have been needed!

The following verse explains to us that Yeshua mediated between all of us and our Father. Prior to the time when Yeshua mediated for us, there was only the written word of the law; a substitute for the Word of God who became flesh. Moses’ Law served as the prototypical mediator until “the Seed” came.

Galatians 3:19-20 So why the Torah? It was to accompany [see root word] the promises in order to define violations, UNTIL the Descendant came, the One who the promise voluntarily involved; and the Torah was given by spirit Messengers thru a mediator [Moses]. 20 Now a mediator is not necessary for one person; but Yehovah is only one. GV

A common alternative rendering of verse 20 reads as follows: “Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.” NKJV This rendering, with the lower case “m”, is seemingly gibberish to me. I think that the meaning of verse 20 is that Yeshua, the Mediator, of necessity intervened (mediated) on behalf of humanity (past, present and future) suffering our death penalty. He did not mediate for “one only”, Himself, but rather He was actually mediating for the one God, Yehovah. The second thought is that He accomplished this while still being One with the Father: “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30) Yeshua’s sacrifice works retroactively for the patriarchs who knew little of Yeshua and certainly could not have called upon His name to be saved.

Acts 4:10-12 ... then you should know, and everyone in Israel, that by the name of Yeshua the Messiah, the Nazarene, who you crucified, and who Yehovah has raised from the dead, yes, because of Him, this man stands here before you restored to health. 11 This is the stone that you builders spitefully rejected; but it has become the Cornerstone. 12 There is no eternal Life by any other; because there is not another name under Heaven, given to humanity, that we can be Rescued by. GV

To say that Yeshua still needs to mediate is tantamount to saying that He needs to be crucified again! Deviating too far from the teachings of God brings shame upon Yeshua—the topic of Hebrews 6:

Hebrews 6:6 ... cant fall away, and then be renewed a second time to a changed mind. This is like PERSONALLY crucifying Aloha’s Son all over again, and exposing Him to public disgrace. GV

Hebrews 8:6 But now, Yeshua the Messiah has attained a more excellent public service, since He is the Mediator of a more excellent [New] covenant, one that was legislated with better promises than the former. GV

Hebrews 9:15 This is why He became the Mediator of the New Covenant—so that by means of His death, He could become the ransom payment for those who had transgressed the first covenant, so that those who are called to the eternal inheritance, could receive the promise. GV

Hebrews 12:24 ... and to Yeshua, the Mediator of the New Covenant; and to the sprinkling of His blood that reveals more advantages than that of Abel. GV

1) Yeshua was a man

2) Yeshua was a mediator whose sacrifice allowed the future New Covenant to become a reality.

3) Yeshua returned to His throne in heaven.

Here is a verse that unitarians use to discredit the Deity of the Messiah.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. KJV

The problem here is that people simply arent acquainted with the Greek terms used. When it says one “God”, the Greek literally means “the Supreme Divinity”, unfortunately, the origin of this title is unknown. When it says one “Lord”, the Greek word is “kurios”. Kurios means “supremacy”. As the Online Bible Greek Lexicon says: “This title is given to: God, the Messiah”.

A more literal translation would say:

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 Tho there are so-called aloha [elohim, gods] in the expanse of the sky and on earth, (as there are many claiming to be aloha and masters,) 6 yet for us there is one Aloha, the Father. Everything exists by Him, and we exist for Him; and one Master, Yeshua the Messiah, by Him everything exists, and we exist because of Him. GV

Here is another example of where unitarians say that Yeshua is not “God”.

2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. KJV

Again, if we understand that the word “God”. means “the Supreme Divinity”, then we can see that the idea being conveyed is that the Father is the higher authority of the Two. Yeshua had no problem with the Father being the “greater” authority, do you?

John 14:28 You heard Me say, ‘I must go away, and come again to you’. If you really loved Me, you would have been delighted that I’m going to the Father, since the Father is greater than I am. GV

Here are a couple more verses that are clarified as relating to the degree of authority.

Ephesians 1:3-5, 10 Blessed is Yehovah, the Father of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing of the spirit in Heaven, by the Messiah. 4 He chose us before He laid the foundation of the world, so that we could be dedicated and without blemish before Him; and in love, 5 He predetermined that we would belong to Him; making us sons of Yeshua the Messiah, anticipating what He has determined will be done ... 10 He is managing the affairs of His household until the time comes that everything is fulfilled, then everything can again be unified by the Messiah—things in Heaven and things on earth. GV

John 17:1-3 After Yeshua said these things, He looked up toward Heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; cause Your Son to be renowned, so that your Son can make You renowned, 2 just as you have given Him authority over every mortal, so that He can give eternal Life to as many as You have given Him. 3 This is eternal Life—that they can know You, that You are the only true Aloha [Supreme Divinity], (and as of this writing, the One who sent Yeshua the Messiah). GV

Again, it seems that Yeshua is more renowned, but has less authority. The Father “delegated” His Son to rule over “every mortal” and to even “give eternal Life to as many as You have given Him”.

Mistranslations & Figurative Speech

Most of the verses that prove that the Messiah and the Father are distinct individuals have come under attack. Some are making claims about dozens of Scriptures in essence describing as an enormous conspiracy on the part of Bible translators. While a couple of feeble corruptions were made in support of the Trinity, no such conspiracy is underway to cause people to believe that Yeshua is God. That Yeshua is God is the backbone of “the Way which they call a sect” (Acts 24:14). People who constantly say about a verse that, “That is a mistranslation”, when it is not or, “That is figurative” when it is not, are flirting with coming under the curse of Revelation 22!

Revelation 22:18-19 I testify to everyone who hears the words of this prophetic book, that if anyone adds to them, Yehovah will ADD to them the calamities that are written about in this book. [1] 19 If anyone takes words out of this prophetic book, Yehovah will TAKE AWAY their destiny from the Tree of Life, and from the sacred city that is described in this book [biblion]. 20 The One who testifies to these things, says, “Yes, I come quickly. Aw-mane’. Come, Master Yeshua”! 21 May the compassion of our Master Yeshua the Messiah be with all the Saints. Aw-mane’.

[1] They will actually experience the Day of Yehovah, (the Day of the Lord).

Why Has The Identity of God Been Lost?

Had Israel remained a sovereign nation then the Levitical priesthood would have remained the teachers and administrators of Law and government to this very day.

Malachi 2:1-10 Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says [Yehovah] of Armies, “then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may be with Levi,” says [Yehovah] of Armies. 5 “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him who he might be reverent toward Me; and he was reverent toward Me, and stood in awe of My name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of [Yehovah] of Armies. 8 But you have turned aside out of the way. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says [Yehovah] of Armies. 9 “Therefore I have also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according to the way you have not kept My ways, but have had respect for persons in the law. 10 Dont we all have one father? Hasnt one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? WEB

God absolutely detests our politicians and our religious ministers who have taken over the governance of the things that were assigned to the Levites.

Jeremiah 23:1-6 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! says [Yehovah]. 2 Therefore thus says [Yehovah], the God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed My people: You have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, says [Yehovah]. 3 I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, says [Yehovah]. 5 Behold, the days come, says [Yehovah], that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is His name by which He shall be called: [Yehovah] our righteousness. WEB

I hope that you will read the entire 23rd chapter of Jeremiah.

Ezekiel also elaborated on the same disastrous failure of our self governance:

Ezekiel 34:1-7 The word of [Yehovah] came to me, saying, 2 son of [Adam], prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and tell them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldnt the shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, and you clothe yourself with the wool, you kill the fatlings; but you dont feed the sheep. 4 You havent strengthened the diseased, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have you bound up that which was broken, neither have you brought back that which was driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor you have ruled over them. 5 They were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill: yes, My sheep were scattered on all the surface of the earth; and there was none who searched or sought. 7 Therefore, you shepherds....

I also hope that you will read the rest of Ezekiel 34 as well to see what God has in mind for your minister and your favorite political party.

This will all change when God puts a faithful (and reeducated) Levitical priesthood back in charge under the control of the resurrected king David (Jeremiah 30:9). The last nine chapters of Ezekiel tell of this time and the circumstances involved. None of this prophecy has ever been fulfilled. The uninitiated may not realize that these nine chapters are entirely prophetic except that chapter 47 describes the river of living water that you will recognize from Revelation 22, and of course Ezekiel 48 tells of the near future time when all twelve tribes of Israel will again occupy the soon-to-be Holy Land. Here is a thumbnail sketch of the Levites job description:

Ezekiel 44:9...24 Thus says Adonay Yehovah, “No foreigner, uncircumcised in mind and uncircumcised in flesh, will enter into My sanctuary, even foreigners who are among the descendants of Israel. 10 But the Levites who strayed far from Me, when Israel went astray, who wandered from Me after their idols, they will bear the consequences of their sins. 11 Yet they will be ministers in My sanctuary, and have oversight of the gates of the temple, and serve in the temple; they will kill the burnt offering and the sacrifices for the people, and they will stand before them and serve them. ... 15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok ... 23 They will teach My people the difference between the sacred and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 24 In disputes they will judges according to My ordinances; they will adjudicate; and they will obey My Torah, and My statutes concerning My appointed Feasts; and they will consecrate My Sabbaths. WE

From Genesis to Revelation

From this point on I am simply going to present Scriptures in the order that they appear in English Bibles and show some related Scriptures in brackets for clarification. Hopefully much of this is self evident concerning the nature of both God the Father and God the Son.

Genesis 1:1, 26 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…26 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. WEB

After “God,” the Hebrew has the two letters “Aleph Tav” (the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet) inserted purportedly as a “grammatical marker”. It’s no wonder that in the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah He states:

Revelation 1:7-8 Look! He will come with clouds; and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him [yep, them too].; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Yes; Aw-mane’. 8 “I am Aleph and the Tau”, says Yehovah, “the Aloha; who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty”. GV

These are, of course, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Yeshua is the creator of Genesis 1!

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, tho you are small among the clans of Judah, yet out of you One will come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. WE

Did Yeshua Destroy Sodom?

Genesis 18:1 [Yehovah] appeared to him [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. WEB

Genesis 18:22-25 The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before [Yehovah]. 23 Abraham drew near, and said, “Will You consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will You consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Be it far from You to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from You. Shouldnt the Judge of all the earth do right? WEB

Compare to:

John 5:22-24 The Father doesnt judge anyone, because He has entrusted the entire judgment to the Son; 23 so everyone should honor the Son, as He honors the Father. Anyone who doesnt honor the Son, doesnt honor the Father who sent Him. 24 It is absolutely certain that anyone who hears My truths, and believes in the One who sent Me, has eternal Life, and wont come into condemnation, but has passed from death to Life. GV

This is not the invisible God:

Genesis 32:30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” WEB

Exodus 3:11-16 Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and He said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘[Yehovah], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘[Yehovah], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.... WEB

Exodus 4:5 That they may believe that [Yehovah], the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you [Moses]. WEB

Did you know that seventy-four people saw God at one time? It appears that they had a banquet with Him.

Exodus 24:7-11 He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “All that [Yehovah] has spoken will we do, and be obedient.... 9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. 10 They saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness. 11 He didnt lay His hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank. WEB

Carefully compare the next two segments of Exodus 33. Here is a situation where Moses dealt with both beings of the God family, the One who could be seen and the One who could not be seen! YeHoVaH actually refers to both members of the God Family.

Exodus 33:9-11 It happened, when Moses entered into the Tent, that the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and spoke with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent, and all the people rose up and worshiped, everyone at their tent door. 11 [Yehovah] spoke to Moses FACE TO FACE, as a man speaks to his friend. WEB

Exodus 33:18-23 He said, “Please show me Your glory.” 19 He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of [Yehovah] before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 20 He said, “You cannot see My face, for man may not see Me and live.” 21 [Yehovah] also said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 It will happen, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away My hand, and you will see My back; but My face shall not be seen. WEB

Exodus 34:5-6 [Yehovah] descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of [Yehovah]. 6 [Yehovah] passed by before him, and proclaimed, “[Yehovah]! [Yehovah], a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.... WEB

Yehovah is coming to judge the earth ... Yeshua is coming to judge the world.

1 Chronicles 16:33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD [Yehovah], for He is coming to judge the earth. WEB

[Compare to: Acts 17:31 ... He has established a fixed Judgment Day for everyone on earth, with righteousness, by the Man He has designated. He has convinced everyone of this by raising Him from the dead. GV]

Who is Immanuel?

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. WEB

[Compare with Matthew 1:23 “Look, a virgin will conceive, and will give birth to a Son, and will name Him Emmanuel, that is interpreted, Aloha is with us”. GV]

Here is a plain statement that Immanuel was born of a virgin and that His very name indicates that God is with us, meaning that He has lived with us and will again.

Yehovah is “a Stone of Stumbling”

Out of a depressing prophecy about the destruction of both houses of Israel—about the treachery of our leadership—comes one of the most encouraging Messianic encouragements. Most translations use the antiquated translation Yehovah (or whatver) “of Hosts” instead of the “Yehovah of Armies”, but the thing not to miss is that Isaiah is saying that Yehovah [YHVH] is the Messiah!

Isaiah 8:13 Yehovah, leader of His army is who you must respect as sacred. He is the One you must fear. He is the One you must treat with awe. WE

[Compare with 1 Peter 2:4-8 The One you are coming to is a living Stone, quite rejected by humanity, but with Yehovah, selected and precious. 5 You are also, like living stones in the temple, a rebuilt [1] spiritual Temple, with sacred priests who offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Yehovah, thru Yeshua the Messiah. 6 The Scriptures say, “Look, in Zion I lay a chosen and precious Stone, for the cornerstone; and whoever believes in Him wont be ashamed”. 7 He is honored by those of you who believe; but for those who dont believe, 8 He is a stumbling stone and a rock of offense. They are induced to sin, because they refused to believe and obey the truth; they have set themselves apart. GV]

If you didnt notice that Yehovah is a “stumbling stone” and a “rock of offense”, (and these descriptions are a contrast to Yeshua the Capstone), then you read too fast.

Yeshua is the “Mighty God” and the “Everlasting Father”!

Isaiah 9:6-7, 14-16 For to us a Child is born. To us a Son is given; and the government will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of [Yehovah] of Armies will perform this.... 14 Therefore [Yehovah] will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. 15 The elder and the honorable man [political leadership], is the head, and the prophet [religious leadership] who teaches lies is the tail. 16 For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed. WEB

Isaiah chapter 8 is part of the same story flow as chapter 9. By comparing 1 Peter 2:6-8 we see that one of the three references to “Immanuel” is found in Isaiah 8:8, but it appears to refer to Isaiah himself. I suspect that it is a play on words since the name Isaiah means “Yehovah will save”. Interestingly tho, the only place in the Bible where the words “God is with Us” appears is two verses later. When I read thru these chapters, I come to the conclusion that Yehovah of Armies is the same “person” as Immanuel; the same person as “God is with us”; the same person as “a Son is given”; and He who is “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

In 2006 I came across another very interesting article that had been written by the late Earnest L. Martin: He explained some points about the plurality of Elohim (Gods) very well. It’s good reading. Yet, from what little I have read from Earnest Martin—he thought so far “out of the box” that I dont think that he knew there was a box! I am not certain how Earnest viewed the holy messengers (angels). While it is true that these messengers and even humans are sometimes referred to as Elohim—I would not classify them in the same league that we can be a part of:

Hebrews 1:5 To which of the spirit Messengers did Yehovah ever say, “You are My SON, today I have caused you to be born”, or, “I will be his Father, and he will be My Son”? GV

Hebrews 1:13 To which of the spirit Messengers did He ever say, “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool under your feet”? GV

Hebrews 2:5 It isnt the spirit Messengers who will be assuming responsibility in the future world that we’re talking about. GV

Also he seemed to imply that “all” people will eventually be a part of God’s family. For my purposes, it doesnt matter how he viewed these related issues; my only concern is the main element of his article—that “Elohim” must definitely be viewed as plural.

Now for Part 4: